[2][3] He was succeeded by Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.

[4] Neelakantan was commissioned as a fighter pilot in Indian Air Force in December 1977.

He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE).

During 2006–07, he led the IAF contingent in Congo as part of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force.

He served as Director General of Inspection & Safety at Air Headquarters from 1 July 2014 to 1 February 2015.